Top 10 Military Travel Credit Cards
Military travel credit cards are specialized credit cards that offer rewards, benefits, and perks tailored to the unique needs of military personnel and their families. These cards often include travel-related rewards such as points or miles, as well as additional features like waived annual fees and special travel insurance coverage.
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These cards can be particularly advantageous for military members who travel frequently, whether for duty or leisure. Many military travel credit cards provide generous rewards programs that allow cardholders to earn points or miles on everyday purchases and travel expenses, such as flights, hotels, and car rentals. Some cards also offer sign-up bonuses, which can significantly boost the rewards balance early on. Additionally, military travel credit cards may come with exclusive benefits like complimentary airport lounge access, travel and purchase protections, and concierge services. Importantly, under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA), many credit card issuers waive annual fees and offer reduced interest rates for active-duty military members, making these cards more financially accessible and beneficial for those who serve.
USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® CardView AllUSAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card - USAA Rewards Visa: Earn points on everyday purchases.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®View AllChase Sapphire Reserve® - Premium travel rewards card with extensive benefits and perks.
American Express® Platinum Card® for SchwabView AllAmerican Express® Platinum Card® for Schwab - Premium rewards, exclusive benefits, tailored for Charles Schwab clients.
Navy Federal Visa Signature® Flagship RewardsView AllNavy Federal Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards - Versatile rewards card with travel perks and no foreign fees.
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards American Express® CardView AllPenFed Pathfinder® Rewards American Express® Card - Travel rewards, no annual fee for PenFed members.
USAA® Rewards™ American Express® CardView AllUSAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card - USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card: Earn rewards, military-friendly.
American Express® Gold CardView AllAmerican Express® Gold Card - Rewards points, dining perks, and travel benefits.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®View AllCiti® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® - Travel rewards card with American Airlines benefits.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardView AllCapital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - Travel rewards, unlimited miles, no foreign transaction fees.
Top 10 Military Travel Credit Cards
1.
USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
The USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card is a versatile credit card tailored for military members and their families. It offers robust rewards, including 2 points per dollar spent on gas and dining, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card features no annual fee, competitive interest rates, and valuable benefits like travel and purchase protections. Designed with military lifestyles in mind, it also provides specialized support and exclusive perks for servicemembers.
Pros
No annual fee- Earn points on all purchases
- Redeem points for travel and merchandise
- Military-friendly benefits
- Competitive APR.
Cons
Limited to military families- No introductory APR
- Foreign transaction fees
- Points value varies
- Limited rewards categories.
2.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards credit card known for its generous benefits and flexibility. It offers 3x points on travel and dining, a $300 annual travel credit, and access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass™ Select. Cardholders also enjoy perks like trip cancellation insurance, primary rental car insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. The card comes with a significant annual fee but provides substantial value for frequent travelers.
Pros
- Generous rewards
- Travel credits
- Airport lounge access
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Requires good credit
- Limited transfer partners
- High spending for max rewards
- Complex rewards system.
3.
American Express® Platinum Card® for Schwab
The American Express® Platinum Card® for Schwab is a premium charge card designed for Charles Schwab investors. It offers a suite of luxury benefits including 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, access to exclusive airport lounges, and up to $200 in Uber credits annually. Cardholders can also redeem Membership Rewards points as deposits into eligible Schwab brokerage accounts. The card carries a high annual fee but provides extensive travel and lifestyle perks.
Pros
- High reward rates
- Travel benefits
- Concierge service
- Access to airport lounges
- Schwab account perks.
Cons
- **High annual fee
- Limited acceptance
- Complex rewards structure
- Requires excellent credit
- Potential foreign transaction fees.
4.
Navy Federal Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards
The Navy Federal Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards is a versatile travel credit card designed for Navy Federal Credit Union members. It offers substantial rewards, including 3 points per dollar on travel purchases and 2 points per dollar on all other transactions. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, travel and emergency assistance, and various travel-related perks. With a competitive annual fee and robust rewards program, it's an excellent choice for frequent travelers looking for value and convenience.
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel and purchase protections
- Low APR for a rewards card
- Generous welcome bonus.
Cons
- Annual fee
- Requires Navy Federal membership
- Limited travel benefits compared to other premium cards
- No intro APR on purchases
- Rewards redemption limitations.
5.
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards American Express® Card
The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards American Express® Card is a travel-focused credit card offering 3x points on travel purchases and 1.5x points on all other purchases. Cardholders enjoy a $100 annual travel credit and complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge access. No annual fee for PenFed Honors Advantage members, while others pay $95 annually. The card also includes no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for frequent travelers seeking rewards and travel perks.
Pros
- No annual fee for PenFed members
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Generous rewards points on travel and dining
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Annual travel credit
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No foreign transaction fees
-
Comprehensive travel insurances.
Cons
- Requires PenFed membership
-
Reward points redemption options limited
-
High APR for carried balances
-
No intro APR offer
-
Limited acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard.
6.
USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card
The USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card offers a range of benefits tailored for military members and their families. It features 2X points on gas and dining, and 1X points on all other purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders can also enjoy competitive APR rates, comprehensive travel and purchase protections, and access to USAA's renowned customer service. Ideal for those seeking rewards and robust support without the burden of extra fees.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Earn rewards on purchases
- Military-friendly benefits
- Travel and retail protection
- 24/7 customer service.
Cons
- Limited acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard
- High APR
- No intro APR offers
- Limited bonus categories
- Membership required.
7.
American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a premium charge card offering robust rewards, particularly for dining and supermarket purchases. Cardholders earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually). It also features 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel. Benefits include dining credits, travel protections, and no foreign transaction fees. With a stylish metal design, it's ideal for frequent travelers and food enthusiasts seeking valuable rewards and perks.
Pros
- High rewards on dining
- Generous grocery rewards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual dining credits
- Flexible redemption options.
Cons
-
High annual fee
- Limited acceptance abroad
- Rewards categories capped
- Complex rewards system
- Requires good to excellent credit.
8.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® is a travel rewards credit card designed for frequent American Airlines flyers. It offers benefits such as 2 AAdvantage® miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, at gas stations, and restaurants, along with 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. Cardholders also enjoy perks like a free checked bag on domestic flights, preferred boarding, and no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for travelers seeking to maximize their rewards and travel benefits.
Pros
- Earn AAdvantage® miles
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First checked bag free
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Preferred boarding
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No foreign transaction fees
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Travel and purchase protection.
Cons
- $99 annual fee (waived first year)
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Limited airline partners
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High APR
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Few premium benefits
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Miles may expire.
9.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a travel-focused credit card offering unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. It features a generous sign-up bonus and flexible redemption options, including travel expenses and transferring miles to airline and hotel partners. The card includes travel perks like no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance. With an annual fee of $95, it's ideal for frequent travelers seeking straightforward, valuable rewards.
Pros
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Unlimited 2x miles on every purchase
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No foreign transaction fees
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Flexible redemption options
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Generous sign-up bonus
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Travel benefits and protections.
Cons
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Annual fee after the first year
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High APR for some users
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Limited travel partners
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Requires good/excellent credit
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No introductory APR offer.